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10
Feb 22nd Saturday.
I cannot remember that I have ever experienced a more gloomy week than that which is just past. On Sunday evening last, when we were confident of victory at Fort Donelson, the news came that we were at last completely overpowered__ that hundreds were killed & thousands made prisoner__ that Nashville had surrendered unconditionally__ the Federals having taken possession, & that our Bowling Green army had fallen back to Murfreesboro! A deeper shock I never felt,__ I gave up the Confederacy as lost. All this week we have been in a state of the utmost anxiety & suspense__ not a mail has reached us from any point and we are dependent altogether upon rumors,__ of which there are a thousand & all conflicting. Today it seems settled that we met with a disastrous defeat in the end at Donelson by the enemys overpowering numbers surrounding our men, who fought bravely & well. Gens. Floyd & Pillow escaped with some of the troops__ but Buckner is a prisoner. It is now contradicted that Nashville surrendered, & sent a boat with a flag of truce down the Cumberland to meet the enemy & give up the city (!) as was at first reported__ but it is certain that our troops from Bowling Green have fallen back to Murfreesboro and they have burnt the bridges, steamboats etc. at Nashville and not a Yankee near them! Oh! it is disgraceful! Gov. Harris who rode round town alarming the citizens__ who said to Ewing__ Every

10
Feb 22nd Saturday.
I cannot remember that I have ever experienced a more gloomy week than that which is just past. On Sunday evening last, when we were confident of victory at Fort Donelson, the news came that we were at last completely overpowered__ that hundreds were killed & thousands made prisoner__ that Nashville had surrendered unconditionally__ the Federals having taken possession, & that our Bowling Green army had fallen back to Murfreesboro! A deeper shock I never felt,__ I gave up the Confederacy as lost. All this week we have been in a state of the utmost anxiety & suspense__ not a mail has reached us from any point and we are dependent altogether upon rumors,__ of which there are a thousand & all conflicting. Today it seems settled that we met with a disastrous defeat in the end at Donelson by the enemys overpowering numbers surrounding our men, who fought bravely & well. Gens. Floyd & Pillow escaped with some of the troops__ but Buckner is a prisoner. It is now contradicted that Nashville surrendered, & sent a boat with a flag of truce down the Cumberland to meet the enemy & give up the city (!) as was at first reported__ but it is certain that our troops from Bowling Green have fallen back to Murfreesboro and they have burnt the bridges, steamboats etc. at Nashville and not a Yankee near them! Oh! it is disgraceful! Gov. Harris who rode round town alarming the citizens__ who said to Ewing__ Every